Sports · Other Sports · 2 hrs ago
Victorian farmer swims the Darling River to raise money for Parkinson’s and MND
Victorian grain farmer Scott Gladman is swimming 1,650 kilometres down the Darling River to raise money for Fight Parkinson’s and MND Victoria.
He began near Bourke in New South Wales on September 1 and hopes to finish where the river meets the Murray at Wentworth.
The swim is for two friends affected by serious illnesses: Russ Wardle was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2022, and Pat Russell was diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Gladman says a heart condition discovered nine years ago gave him a second chance and changed how he thought about his life.
He is taking on the swim because he feels lucky to be alive and wants to support his friends and the causes affecting them.
The challenge is demanding: he often swims about 16 kilometres a day in hot weather, with Russell steering a support boat carrying food and medical equipment.
Gladman was nearing 1,000 kilometres this week, somewhere between Wilcannia and Menindee.
He hopes to complete the journey in 103 days.
Victorian grain farmer Scott Gladman is swimming 1,650 kilometres down the Darling River to raise money for Fight Parkinson’s and MND Victoria.
He began the swim on September 1 near Brewarrina and hopes to finish at Wentworth, where the Darling meets the Murray.
Gladman says he was inspired by friends diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and motor neurone disease.
He says a serious heart condition nine years ago gave him a second chance at life.
At the time of the report, he was closing in on 1,000 kilometres and was between Wilcannia and Menindee in New South Wales.
- Who
- Scott Gladman, a grain farmer from Victoria.
- What
- He is swimming 1,650 kilometres down the Darling River to raise money for Fight Parkinson’s and MND Victoria.
- When
- He began on September 1 and hoped to finish 103 days later.
- Where
- The Darling River, from near Brewarrina to Wentworth, where it enters the Murray.
- Why
- To raise money for the two organisations, inspired by friends diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and motor neurone disease.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Gladman, then 54, learned that three of his arteries were severely blocked and had three stents inserted.
His friend Russ Wardle was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Gladman began his swim near Brewarrina.
He was nearing the 1,000-kilometre mark between Wilcannia and Menindee.
- Swim distance
- 1,650 kilometres
- Fundraising beneficiaries
- Fight Parkinson’s and MND Victoria
- Starting point
- Near Brewarrina
- Intended finish
- Wentworth, where the Darling enters the Murray
- Progress reported
- Nearly 1,000 kilometres
- Final diagnosis
- Pat Russell, 36, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease
What people are saying
I got a second chance, but these two blokes didn’t. I know how lucky I am
The doctor told me I should be dead. The arteries were 95, 80 and 75 per cent blocked.
I needed to get my head out of my arse. I was working for the almighty dollar and knew there had to be more.